While changing the oil on my 04 envoy i noticed what looked to be grease from passenger side cv boot splashed around the struts and lower control arm. i was unable to find any cuts or rips in the boots from just a quick look but how difficult would it be to replace it.

this is your CV shaft not the wheel bearing,yes the boot breaks and the grease escapees then it runs dry and wears out hence the clicking noise on turns,you will need to undo shaft retaining nut in centre of hub and on 99% of vehicles you will need to disconnect strut or suspension ball joint to get sufficent travel to remove it,once shaft is removed the joint can be removed and a new boot slid over the shaft,this can be quite tricky on some vehicles,especially european ones

If the knock is heard when on a smooth surface when turning at full lock, it is one or both CV joints being worn. That usually happens soon after a CV rubber boot splits and lets out all the grease. Test this in a quiet parking lot. Replace both sides, not just one.

If it happens when driving somewhat straighter on a less than smooth surface, it will be either a suspension strut or strut mount failure, or less often, a lower outer ball joint.

lower control arm / ball joint, had same trouble with my work beater

under the vehicle there will be a splash shield. On the passenger side of the splash shield there will be an access door with two screws holding it on. With the access door removed look up to the passenger front of the car. The oil filter will be there.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

will try to help. you may have bad passenger axle. pop and crack anytime on left turn only? or just howling? bad cv joint on passenger side. look under front of car while safely in park. look on inside of each wheel, see the rubber boots? there will be two on each side,drivers and passengers side,see any grease leaking around those rubber boots? if so, then that may be where your problem is. thank you for choosing fixya.com

1. bad tire
2. bad rotor
3. bad axle

check tire first . not cv boot it just a cover for the axle - hold grease - dont let dirt in axle nuckles.under cv boot is the axle joint if boot is torn it lets grease out an dirt in an drys the joint out causing problems....

Sounds like the CV joint is bad. Take a look under the wheel and see if the rubber boot is torn and grease is coming out. Need to take to a repair shop.

The boot you need to replace is call OUTER CV BOOT.

The quickest way to inspect is to drive it in low speed (UNDER 10 mph) tight left and right turns.

If you hear clicking sound then the CV shaft is bad.

It's also depending on how long the CV boot been crack.

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If you decide to go ahead on the job then please observe safety and use jack stands to fully support the front end.

Remove wheel,cotter pin,retainer cap and larger axle nut.

Make alignments markings on the strut tower and steering mount so your front end will able to put back to alignment.

You will need an able body to do the following.

Remove the large lower strut bolts and swing the strut off the CV.

DO NOT ROCK THE CAR!!!

Clean off the outer CV.

Install boot,grease and the two bands.

Line up the strut and steering yoke marks

repack bearings,lock nut,cap,cotter pin,wheel.


Drive the car in low speed for 1 miles with tight turns.

Do a quick inspection to make sure the CV boot is sitting perfectly on the CV.

Check the axle boot. When they rip or crack they will sling grease around.

the only way to really find out is to put it up in the air, any oil change facility can check it for you. More likely if you seeing grease it will likely be CV axle boot crack slinging grease every where.